WRC recommends councils consider policy on temporary acting-up appointments

A WRC adjudication officer has recommended that County and City Councils consider drawing up a policy on temporary acting-up appointments, after declining to recommend that County Council B appoint a worker to a promotional post. The recommendation was dated 14 December 2023. The worker, employed by County Council A, said he had been bypassed after two positions he was eligible for were filled internally on an acting-up basis and a third was suppressed. He sought appointment through a Public Appointments Service panel for County Council B. The officer found that the WRC had jurisdiction to investigate the dispute, but said panel placement gave the worker no legal entitlement to appointment and found no basis to recommend the appointment sought. The officer said the arrangements appeared to reflect operational reasons and County Council B’s statutory remit. She said the worker’s perception of unfairness was understandable in the absence of a formal policy and suggested councils consider one with stakeholders.